Reply #236: I'm back home in Texas. I'm union born and bred.

[TxVietVet]

I was born and raised in Texas. In a refinery town. Stinks to high heaven. But, I grew left a couple of times and finally after living and working all over the country, I retired back to a small town in Texas. A place I wasn't really familiar with. A lot has changed in the 22 years since I left. Now, there is a small town atmosphere in the air. People still flock to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. AS a matter of fact, even the small rodeos draw a big crowd.
After living and working in the Midwest and working in New England, I'm glad to be back. When you go somewhere, strangers will great you with a hello. They don't insult you because you speak with a Texas or Southern accent. They don't assume your mother and father are closely related other than marriage and don't make comments about it either. They don't make fun of you if you ask a question. They don't assume you are here to steal their money, women or jobs. They aren't nearly as greedy as some folks I've met AWAY from here. Most of them aren't in a big f*cking rush to run over you to get to where ever the f*ck they are going. I've never been insulted for my service to my country or my service in Vietnam by people here in Texas.


I came back here to retire and enjoy life. Now, I moved 1200 miles and didn't know a soul in this small community. I volunteered my services as skilled labor for Habitat for Humanity. I also volunteer my skilled labor for other community service. I am here to help those that I can. It didn't take long and I've met quiet a few folks here that will help at the drop of the hat. I can't say that about other places I've lived and worked.


We have a community radio station that plays good Texas country music. Some traditional and some a little newer stuff. Not that crap they play on the big stations that call themselves country. On Friday nights, the local station has bash with regional talent in the parking lot of a restaurant. I never saw that anywhere else I've live and worked.

This is a place where people are still neighbors and look out for one another. Of course, lots of them believe the conservanazi bu$hit. Lots of them. I ask them if they've ever heard of Jim Hightower (of whom I've had the pleasure to meet in Milwaukee)and Molly Ivins. I try to educate them to counter their false beliefs in unions and just about every other notion they got from the conservanazis' propaganda.

I still love Texas. I enjoy the countryside. I ride my motorcycle through a lot of really rural places.
I wanted to be on the water and I am.
I love Texas. What else can I say. There's lots of other folks here that do too.